EIS has expertise in custom converting solar thin-film materials and solar rigid silicon materials, such as protective films or blackout materials, bus bars, edge seal tapes, back sheet laminates, and high-strength foam tapes. EIS also offers cutting-edge technology in solar concentrator application materials, including edge seal tape, thermal transfer material, and high-strength foam tape.
EIS combines engineering know-how with solid materials expertise to offer turn-key custom fabrication solutions for many solar manufacturers, eliminating costly hand assembly operations and improving process flow. EIS analyzes a company’s operations and suggests alternate materials and processes that drive time and cost from multi-step assembly processes. With the advantages of such turn-key solutions, solar companies can focus on their technical expertise and growth.
In addition to our expertise in solar power, EIS has experience in numerous applications related to alternative energy and power generation, including wind power, hydroelectric, fuel cell, and nuclear. Our flexible materials converting and adhesives expertise address EMI/RFI shielding, thermal management, and heat dissipation, electrical insulation, gasketing, taping and sealing, and more.
Our laminating, slitting, and die-cutting services are complemented by our ability to recommend suitable liquid or film adhesive for your application. We also provide kitting to help make your manufacturing process more efficient.
APPLICATIONS
BATTERIES
Advanced battery/storage technology for solar applications is critical to efficiently integrating renewable energy sources into the electrical grid. Effective battery storage provides energy management and spike power to balance loads and assure power continuity and quality.
Manufacturers and installers engaged in renewable energy projects look for more robust and less costly batteries. EIS can help design engineers working on battery applications for renewable energy with innovative product design, robust materials, and adhesives testing and sourcing, rapid prototyping, and one of the world’s most extensive converting facilities. Whether you are building sealed lead-acid (SLA), nickel-cadmium, nickel hydride, nickel-iron, zinc-air, or lithium ion batteries, EIS provides:
- Thermal management and heat dissipation materials
- Electrical insulation and shielding materials
- EMC/EMI insulation materials for safe and efficient operation
EIS converts a wide range of thermally conductive materials for heat dispersion in temperature-sensitive battery applications. Thermal management material helps transfer heat away from components into heat sinks or the ambient environment or spread excessive heat in one area across the surface of an assembly where it can be further dissipated.
CONCENTRATOR TECHNOLOGY
As solar technology evolves, EIS provides the converting capabilities to keep solar industry manufacturers on the cutting edge. For concentrator technologies, we can convert high-strength acrylic foam tape to exact dimensions for edge sealing, thermal insulating materials, and thermal transfer materials for heat sinks between the optics unit and the solar cell. EIS has developed unique conversion methods for high-strength foam tapes that adhere the electronics package to the concentrator structures.
INVERTERS
According to an industry report, 59% of all unexpected solar installation maintenance costs were solar inverter failure. As the industry aims for increased overall reliability, especially in light of bank and customer demand for 25-year warranties, inverter performance, durability, and reliability are top concerns.
There are three key areas where identifying and using the suitable materials can positively impact inverter performance:
- Electrical insulation
- Thermal management
- EMC/EMI shielding
EIS provides electrical insulation materials, including electrical grade papers, films, coated cloths, laminates, and tapes for:
- Core insulation
- Barrier insulation
- Layer insulation
- Magnet wire insulation
- Lead pads
- Phase separators
Engineered thermal transfer materials offer high thermal conductivity and low thermal impedance and die-cut to complex shapes. Coupled with traditional heat sinks, these materials help keep PV inverters cool despite internal and external heat.
New materials are available for EMC/EMI shielding for inverters. As solar inverters reach higher efficiencies, high and fast-rising voltage spikes can have unintended EMI side-effects. EIS can provide high-performance materials, including foil tapes, metal-filled elastomers, and wire mesh.
RIGID SILICON
Our custom converting capabilities are critical for solar panel manufacturers working with rigid silicon. We provide slitting, laminating, die-cutting, and printing for:
- Bus bar and bus bar materials
- Foil strips
- Edge sealing
- Junction box sealing
- Protective film and blackout material
- Electrical insulation
EIS combines adhesives expertise in liquids and tapes with unique processes that include proprietary slitting techniques that yield sliver-free tapes in some of the narrowest widths available in the market.
THIN FILM
EIS provides a variety of flexible materials, adhesive solutions, and converting processes for the manufacture of thin film solar panels. We work with thin film panel manufacturers on bus bars and bus bar materials, edge seals, and back sheet laminates. We can deliver innovative solutions using a variety of adhesives, including acrylic foam tapes and thin film bonding systems.
We have a wealth of experience in converting foil tape into bus bars and are experts in edge and junction box seals. We also supply blackout materials to protect the outer layers of solar panels from scratches, debris, and dirt.